April 8,‘ 1952
w. H. BUCYKNELL ETAL
2,591,669
HAIR DRIER
Filed July so, 1949
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April 3, 1952
w. H. BUCKNELL ET AL
2,591,669
HAIR DRIER
Filed July 30, 1949
I
3 Sheets-Sheet 3
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INVENTORS
ML 4 /A M HA/u 41v BUG/(NEL 4
BY
AND EM/L M/sssMs/e
WWW
Patented Apr. 8, 1952
2,591,669
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,591,669
HAIR DRIER
William Harlan Bucknell, Norwalk, Conn, and
Emil Miessmer, Yonkers, N. Y., assignors to
Eastern Laboratories, Inc., New York, N. Y., a
corporation of New York
Application July 30, 1949, Serial No. 107,686
7 Claims.
This invention relates to an improved hair
dryer particularly suitable for home use.
It is important that a hair dryer be light in
weight so that it may be easily manipulated, and
further, that it deliver a sufficiently large stream
of air to dry the hair quickly without the use of
excessive heat.
-
Prior hair dryers have been, in many in
stances, unsatisfactory because the motor unit
has been too small to deliver the requisite amount
of drying air without operating at an excessive
(Cl. 219—39)
2
Figure 8 is a wiring diagram of the electrical
circuit of the dryer.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the frame of
the dryer.
'
Figure 10 is a top view of the frame.
Figure 11 is an enlarged side view of the heating
element.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a
hair dryer 1 in accordance with the invention
comprising a casing 2 formed in two sections 4
and 5. Within the casing is a heating unit 6, a
blower motor 1, and a cylindrical rotary fan 9.
produced by the dryer. Other dryers have been
The dryer is supported by a mounting frame ID.
of insufficient air capacity and have attempted to
The casing 2 may be made of any suitable ma
overcome this di?iculty by providing an oversized 15 terial such as steel, aluminum or preferably of
speed which results in considerable noise being
heating unit which is not only injurious to the
plastic material and may be stamped or molded
hair if directed too close thereto, but often re~
to the desired form. The casing is formed in the
sults in excessive heating of the outlet of the
two sections 4 and 5 which have their edges abut—
dryer so that it is liable to cause burns to the
ting as indicated at H along a plane extending
hands of the user if contacted. Generally, prior 20 through the longitudinal axis of the dryer.
attempts to overcome these di?iculties have re
As may be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the two sec
sulted in the production of a hair dryer too heavy
tions of the blower 4 and 5 are generally sym
and too expensive for the average home use.
metrical but are somewhat different in construc
The present invention aims to overcome the
tion. The section 4 is the basic section and pro
foregoing difficulties and disadvantages of prior 25 vides means for supporting the motor, terminal
devices by providing an improved hair dryer
block switch and heating unit, all of which are
which is simple and economical in manufacture,
assembled in place after which the casing section
e?‘icient in operation, and durable in use.
5 is placed in position to complete the assembly.
In accordance with the invention, a hair dryer
The casing section 2 is formed with an aperture
is provided in which its casing is formed in sec 30 l2 providing an air inlet for the cylindrical fan
tions which may be stamped and molded if de
9. An annular extension I4 is formed on the
sired, the sections of the casing enclosing the
section 4 about the air inlet [2. The outer edge
heating unit and‘ blower motor in an improved
of the annular extension I4 is shouldered as in
construction. A novel supporting means is used
dicated at IE to receive a retaining member l6
whereby the hair dryer may be readily attached 35 securing in position ‘a screen I‘! to prevent foreign
to a wall or supported on a horizontal surface.
matter from entering into the motor and fan.
Other objects and advantages of the invention
The retaining member I6 has a bar I9 extending
will be apparent from the following description
across its diameter and with an outwardly ex
and from the accompanying drawings which
tending threaded stud 20 providing one of the
show, by way of example, an embodiment of the 40 mounting means for the dryer. At the inner end
invention.
of the air inlet l 2 a funnel shaped wall 2| directs
In the drawings:
.
the ‘air into the center of the cylindrical fan 9.
Figure l is a side view of a hair dryer in ac—
A mounting is provided for the motor ‘I by a pair
cordance with the invention.
of straps 22’ and 24 extending through slots in the
Figure 2 is an end View of the hair dryer show 45 funnel member 2| and secured in position be
ing the air outlet looking from the right of
tween inwardly extending alignment ribs 25 and
Figure 1.
26 on the inner wall of the casing 4.
Figure 3 is an end view of the hair dryer looking
The straps 22 and 24 and the wall of the casing
from the left of Figure 1.
are apertured to receive stud bolts 21 and 29
Figure 4 is a partial vertical sectional view of 50 having threaded ends and secured by nuts 30 and
the dryer taken along the line 4—4 of Figure 1.
3! . If preferred, the wall of the casing 4 may be
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal view of one
formed with molded metallic inserts 32 and 34
section of the dryer showing the heating element.
to carry the compression stress of the stud bolts
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal View of, the
27 and 29. The motor mounting straps 22 and
other section of the dryer.
55 24 are formed with double reversed L bends so
Figure 7 is an end view of the dryer with the
as to support the motor with its end 35 in the air
outlet turned downwardly in its frame illustrating
inlet l2. This method of mounting the motor
its compactness as for transportation,
saves space inside the casing and the incoming
2,591,669
3
air through the air inlet is used to cool the motor
and add to the eiilciency of the unit by being
heated somewhat by the waste heat of the motor.
The edge of the casing section it is provided with
an overlapping edge (it to cover the joint with the.
section 55 when the casing section 5 is placed in
position. The annular inlet Hi is apertured to
receive a 3-way switch 4 I.
4,
The cylindrical fan 9 is of cup shaped de
sign and is adapted to overlie the end of the mo
tor so as to provide for a compact construction.
It is carried by motor shaft 12 and secured in
position by a set screw ‘Ill.
The wiring diagram of the dryer is shown in
Figure 8 and illustrates the connection of the
3-Way switch 4! wherein the motor ‘I, in one
position of the switch, may be connected through
A discharge outlet 62 preferably is formed in
tegrally with the casing sections it and 5 and is 10 a duplex supply wire ‘[5 to a source of electrical
current without energizing the heating element
made with annular grooves 153 and M depressed
54, while in the second position .of the switch,
therein to receive split rings 45 and lit to hold
both the motor ‘I and the heatingelement 64 are
the sections together. The grooves Q3 and M
energized, and in the third position of the switch,
are depressed to provide inwardly projecting an
nular protuberances ill? and lit to retain in po 15 both elements are in the “off” position.
The frame Ill is shown in detail in Figures 9
sition the heating unit 6. On the inner side of
and H3 and comprises a base member 80 which
the casing section 4, is formed an inwardly pro
is preferably ring like in form although any
jecting terminal block 49 to carry a plurality of
other suitable shape may be used.
contact terminals 553 to attach the various elec—
Extending upwardly at opposite sides of the
trical connections for the device. The contact 20
base member 8d are generally inverted V-shaped
terminals Eil may be molded in the block or other
wise secured thereto. The split rings I55 and 46
members 8! and 82. The legs of the supporting
preferably are made of spring steel or brass and
members 8! and 82 are turned around the base
are adapted to be slipped over the ends of the as
member 8% as indicated at 84 forming a con
sembled sections #2. and 5 into the grooves t3 and
struction which, if desired, may be folded up
at to hold the sections together. The outer end
when not in use in a compact manner. At the
of the discharge outlet 42 is curved inwardly as
apex of the supporting members 8! and 82 are
indicated at 5! to provide a ?nished end sur
attached bearing members 85 and 85 secured in
face.
position by welding or the like and apertured to
The casing 5 is formed similarly to the casing 30 rotatably receive the dryer mounting studs 20
fl and is adapted to be assembled after the other
and 53 which are adapted to be inserted through
elements have been placed in position within the
the apertures, wing nuts 89 and 96 being used to
casing. The wall of the section 5 is made with
hold the parts in position. If desired, the ring
an outwardly extending portion 52 apertured
member {is may be encased in a cushioning ma
to receive a mounting stud 53 with one end 35 terial ill to prevent marring of any surface on
threaded and its other end knurled as indicated
which the device might be placed.
at 5% to make a press ?t with the apertured wall
In assembling the unit, the cylindrical fan 9
52. The stud 53 may be formed with an an
is attached in position on the motor ‘I. The
nular ring 55 to distribute the stress over a
motor mounting straps 22 and Eli are inserted
larger portion of the wall of the casing section. 40 through the slots in the funnel wall 2! and at
The wall of the section 5 is apertured and pref
tached to the motor 1 by the screws or bolts ‘H1
erably ?tted with inserts 56 and 51 to receive the
stud bolts 21 and 29 which extend through the
casing wall. It should be noted that in a pre
ferred construction the stud bolts 2'! and 29 are
made with their shanks of somewhat larger di—
ameter than their ends so as to provide a shoul
der at one end to abut against the mounting
and ‘H. The supply Wire ‘i5 is inserted through
an aperture in the inlet wall Ill and connected to
the terminal block iii}. The screen i ‘l is placed in
position and retaining member i8 secured by a
screw it extending through the apertured cross
bar is into the annular extension is. The
heating unit 6 is inserted in position in the dis-V
straps ‘22 and 215 and, on their other end, to abut
against the inserts 56 and 5'! thereby provid 50 charge outlet 52 and the necessary connections
made from the motor to the terminal block 48
ing a metal-to-metal contact to relieve the strain
and the switch ii i. It should be noted that all of
on the plastic material.
the
connections for the unit may be made before
The heating unit ii, shown in detail in Figure
the casing section 5 is placed in position and
ll, is made of an insulating member 6! fabricated
from a thin strip of insulating material notched 55 secured by the nuts 59 and 6d. The dryer is then
mounted in the frame is and is ready for opera
on its edges as indicated at 52 to receive turns
tion.
of a heating coil 64. The ends of the insulating
In using the dryer it may be placed on a hori
member Bl are formed with extensions 65 and
zontal
surface and rotated to the desired position
i365 having notched ends 6'? and 68 to engage With
the inwardly extending protuberances ill and £58 60 about its mounting studs 28 and 53 and ?xed in
the desired position by tightening the wing nuts
in the dryer outlet to hold the heating unit in
89 and SEE. Alternately, the dryer may be
position in the dryer. The insulating member BI
mounted on a wall hook or the like and the outlet
is apertured as indicated at E9 to receive the ends
directed as desired. It will be observed that ad
of the heating coil Ed and hold them in spaced
ditional flexibility of the mounting may be had
relationship.
I
by reason of the base construction permitting the
The motor 'i may be of any conventional de
dryer to be hung on a wall hook. at any desired
sign although by reason of the construction
angle,
the discharge outlet of the dryer then
wherein the outlet air acts as a cooling agent the
being directed as desired.
design of the motor may be such as to make it
compact and inexpensive yet capable of deliv 70 While the invention has been described and il
lustrated with reference to a particular embodi
ering a large stream of air. Supporting means
ment thereof, it will be understood that other
for the motor 1 are provided by bolts or screws
embodiments may be resorted to without depart
to and ‘H extending through apertures in the
ing from the invention. Therefore, the form of
ends of-the mounting straps 22 and 213 into the
the invention set out above should be considered
frame of the motor to hold it in position.
5
2,591,669
as illustrative and not as limited by the scope of
discharge outlet, a split ring adapted to be sprung
into position in the groove to hold the sections
We claim:
together, a heating element support having
1. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of
notched sides toengage with the protuberance in
a pair of sections abuttirrT along a plane through
the outlet to retain the support in position, a
the longitudinal axis t1 ereof, motor actuated air
frame for the pivotal mounting of the blower in
impelling means positioned within the casing, an
cluding a pair of generally V-shaped members
extension for the casing to provide a discharge
each carrying bearing means at their apex to
outlet for the air impelling means, the extension
journal the blower mounting studs, and a circular
having an annular groove depressed thereabout 10 base member to support the V-shaped members.
and protruding into the discharge outlet, a split
5. A hair dryer frame comprising a circular
ring adapted to be sprung into position in the
base ring, a pair of V-shaped upwardly extending
groove to hold the sections together, and a thin ' supporting members each with its apex directed
heating element support having notched sides to
upwardly and with its legs turned around the base
?t the annular protuberance in the outlet to
ring, and an apertured bearing member carried
hold it into position therein.
by the apex of each of the supporting members.
2. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of
6. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of
I a pair of sections abutting along a plane through
a pair of sections abutting along a plane through
the longitudinal axis thereof, motor actuated air
the longitudinal axis thereof, motor actuated air
impelling means positioned within the casing, an
impelling means positioned within the casing, an
extension for the casing to provide a discharge
extension for the casing to provide a discharge
outlet for the air impelling means, the extension
outlet for the air impelling means, the extension
having an annular groove depressed thereabout
having an‘annular groove thereabout, a split ring
and protruding into discharge outlet, a split ring
adapted to be sprung into position in the groove
adapted to be sprung into position in the groove
to hold the sections together, a pair of mounting
to hold the sections together, a heating element
studs extending from the casing, a circular base
support having notched sides to ?t the annular
ring, a pair of V-shaped upwardly extending sup
protuberance in the outlet to hold it into position
porting members each with its apex directed up
therein, a heating element carried by the heating
wardly and with its legs turned around the base
element support, and an inwardly extending 30 ring, and a bearing carried by the apex of each
terminal block positioned within the casing for
of the supporting members to journal the mount
ing studs.
connecting to the motor and heating unit.
3. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of
7. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of
a pair of sections abutting along a plane through
a pair of sections abutting along a plane through
the longitudinal axis thereof, a motor, a cylin
the longitudinal axis thereof, a motor, a cylin
drical fan rotatably carried by the motor shaft,
drical fan rotatably carried by the motor shaft,
the following claims.
one section of the casing apertured to form an
one section of the 'casing apertured to form an
inlet for the blower, screening protecting the
inlet for the blower, screening protecting the
blower inlet, a retaining member for the screen
ing, a mounting bar extending across the retain
blower inlet, a retaining member for the screen
40 ing, a mounting bar extending across the retain
ing member, a mounting stud projecting out
ing member, a mounting stud projecting out
wardly from the mounting bar, a second mount
wardly from the mounting bar, a second mount
ing stud projecting from the other section in
ing stud projecting from the other section in
alignment with the ?rst mounting stud, an in
alignment with the ?rst mounting stud, an in
wardly extending terminal block positioned 45 wardly extending terminal block positioned with
in the casing, an extension for the casing to pro
within the casing, an extension for the casing to
provide a discharge outlet for the fan, the exten
vide a discharge outlet for the fan, the extension
sion having an annular groove depressed there
having an annular groove depressed thereabout
and protruding into the discharge outlet, 2. split
about and protruding into the discharge outlet,
9. split ring adapted to be sprung into position in 50 ring adapted to be sprung into position in the
the groove to hold the sections together, and a
heating element support having notched sides to
engage with the protuberance in the outlet to re
groove to hold the sections together, a heating
element support having notched sides to engage
with the protuberance in the outlet to retain the
support in position, a circular base ring, a pair
tain the support in position.
4. A hair dryer comprising a casing formed of 55 of V-shaped upwardly extending supporting
members each with its apex directed upwardly
a pair of sections abutting along a plane through
and with its legs turned around the base ring, and
the longitudinal axis thereof, a pair of members
a bearing carried by the apex of each of the sup
providing motor mounting means, a motor sup
porting members to journal the mounting studs.
ported by the mounting members, a cylindrical
WILLIAM HARLAN BUCKNELL.
fan rotatably carried by the motor shaft, one 60
EMIL MIESSMER.
section of the casing apertured to form an inlet
for the blower, an annular extension about the
REFERENCES CITED
blower inlet, screening protecting the blower inlet,
The
following
references are of record in the
a retaining member for the screening, a mount
ing bar extending across the retaining member, 65 ?le of this patent:
a mounting stud projecting outwardly from the
UNITED STATES PATENTS
mounting bar, a second mounting stud projecting
Number
Name
Date
from the other section in alignment with the ?rst
mounting stud, an inwardly extending terminal
block positioned within the casing, an extension 70
for the casing to provide a discharge outlet for
the fan, the extension having an annular groove
depressed thereabout and protruding into the
563,675
1,286,019
2,041,687
2,091,510
2,292,854
2,432,067
Mullins ___________ __ July 7, 1896
Kennedy _________ __ Nov. 26, 1918
Benson ___________ __ May 26, 1936
Lanz _____________ __ Aug. 31, 1937
Wilcox ___________ __ Aug. 11, 1942
Morse _____________ __ Dec. 2, 1947